The Effects of Different Seedling Containers on the Growth of 2-year-old Grafted Seedlings of Camellia azalea

To explore the effects of different types and different specifications of seedling containers on the growth of 2-year-old grafted seedlings of Camellia azalea. Using 50% yellow soil + 50% peat soil as the cultivation substrate and randomized block design as experiment strategies, we compare the variation of C. azalea seedlings in the height, crown width, scion growth and chlorophyll content under different materials, shapes, volumes and drainage types of different seedling containers. The results showed that there was no significant difference in seedling height of 26-month-old C. azalea between different containers, while significant difference was found in crown width. Small difference was found in diameter of scion and rootstock of 34-month-old C. azalea seedlings. The growth of seedling height was mainly due to the high growth of scion. There was a significant difference in the seedling height, survival rate, and crown width, but the difference in crown width was reduced. The survival rate, average seedling height and average crown width of 34-month-old C. azalea seedlings was above 88.89%, 64.99 cm and 45.88 cm, while the average net growth of seedling height and the average crown net growth were 9.57 cm and 13.36 cm respectively. The net growth value (W_i) of seedling height and crown width was between 8.34−13.95 cm, with the average ofW_i 11.47 cm. Significant difference in the chlorophyll content was found between different containers in 36-month-old C. azalea seedlings. The optimal container forC. azalea seedlings was drainage at the bottom and side with square or hexagonal in shape and wood or hard plastic in material. After comprehensive evaluation, the modified bottom and side rows of drained Multi-edge Basin 1, Hexagonal Basin 1, the self-made four-corner wooden case are excellent cultivation containers for nursery production.